CAT Survey (Cable Avoidance Tools)

When you’re planning excavation, breaking ground without a rapid scan can expose teams to avoidable risk. Our CAT surveys provide a fast, practical way to detect and trace buried cables and metallic services before intrusive works begin—helping you identify safer dig zones, plan trial holes, and reduce the likelihood of service strikes.

CAT surveying is often the first step for small-to-medium groundworks, enabling informed decisions on site, especially where records are limited, access is restricted, or programmes are tight.

Fast cable avoidance scanning before you excavate

A CAT survey uses a Cable Avoidance Tool (electromagnetic locator) to locate buried utilities by detecting electromagnetic fields and applied signals. This industry-standard pairing is widely used to support safer excavation planning and cable avoidance. We use CAT surveying to quickly identify and mark likely service routes, providing clear on-site guidance for excavation teams and site managers.

Typical uses include:

• Pre-excavation checks for groundworks, drainage, and service connections
• Verification scans before trial holes and enabling works
• Locating services for small footprint construction (ducts, signage, lighting, fencing)
• Supporting safe working near live electrical infrastructure

What is a CAT survey and how does the technology work?

A CAT survey is a non-intrusive detection method that focuses on live power cables and metallic services (or services that can carry an applied signal).

Depending on the site and service types, CAT equipment is used in multiple modes, such as:

• Power mode – detects electromagnetic fields from live electrical cables
• Radio mode – detects re-radiated signals that can be present along buried metallic conductors
• Genny / active mode – applies a traceable signal to metallic utilities so they can be followed more reliably (e.g., via direct connection, clamps, or induction where appropriate)

This approach is particularly valuable where you need a rapid, site-ready indication of service presence and direction.

What a CAT survey can and can’t detect

CAT surveying is extremely useful, but like all detection methods, it has limitations.

Most effective for:

• Live electrical cables
• Metallic pipes and ducts that can carry a signal
• Metallic telecoms and comms routes (where signal can be applied/received)

Less effective for:

• Non-metallic services (e.g., plastic) unless tracer wire is present or a suitable locating method is introduced
• Very deep or congested corridors where signals are distorted
• Sites with significant interference (reinforcement, fencing, rail infrastructure, etc.)

Where required, we can recommend complementary approaches, such as a full Utilities Survey for mapped outputs and broader detection scope , or GPR where electromagnetic locating alone may not provide sufficient confidence in complex environments.

What you’ll receive from a Survey Solutions CAT Survey

Deliverables can be scaled depending on whether you need a rapid pre-excavation check or more formal documentation:

• On-site marked service routes (surface dependent)
• Service trace notes and key observations
• Optional: sketch plan / annotated site plan
• Optional: recommendations for next steps (e.g., trial holes, expanded utility mapping)

If your project requires a mapped and spec-driven output, we can advise on moving from CAT surveying to a full underground utilities mapping scope.

When should you choose a CAT survey vs a full Utilities Survey?

Choose a CAT survey if you need:

• A fast cable avoidance scan ahead of small-to-medium excavation
• Quick verification before trial holes or enabling works
• A practical on-site method to reduce strike risk

Choose a Utilities Survey if you need:

• A broader underground picture with mapped outputs and integrated deliverables
• A solution designed for design-stage planning and wider coordination

Sectors and project types

CAT surveys are commonly requested across:

• Construction & groundworks
• Highways and public realm
• Rail and station environments (access permitting)
• Industrial sites and facility maintenance
• Education, healthcare, and live estates

Why Survey Solutions?

• UK coverage from regional teams, supporting rapid mobilisation
• Experience integrating underground services work alongside wider survey scopes (where needed)
• Practical, site-first communication—so findings are usable for crews immediately, not just filed away